The Officer's Runaway Wife & Secret Son novel Chapter 202

"Which way at the next intersection?"

"Oakridge Avenue."

Clara's parents had received the call early and were already waiting downstairs, estimating the arrival time.

Upon seeing Emily, Clara's mom was incredibly enthusiastic, holding her hand and refusing to let go, insisting on properly thanking this "lifesaver."

At the dinner table, Emily's bowl was piled high with ribs.

"Mrs. Bridges, I really can't eat anymore..."

Emily, who usually picked at her food to stay camera-ready, was being fed like she’d run a marathon.

Clara ladled out a bowl of soup, amused by Emily's cowardly expression—wanting to refuse but not daring to.

"Mom, don't scare her."

The group ate happily, carefully avoiding the name "Rhys Huntington."

Halfway through the meal, Emily's gaze landed on Clara's lower abdomen, and she suddenly dropped a bombshell.

"Clara, once you’ve had the baby and you’re feeling like yourself again, I’m throwing you a party."

Clara's eyelid twitched. "What kind of party?"

"A dating mixer, of course!"

Emily ticked off options on her fingers. "Young pop idols, college athletes, or those pioneering returnee entrepreneurs—I know plenty of them. Even if you're keeping the baby without the father, the kid will need a dad eventually, right?"

"Cough, cough, cough—"

Clara, who was drinking soup, nearly choked to death.

Clara's parents looked at each other, their expressions complex.

"Um..." Clara's dad spoke tentatively. "Isn't it a bit too soon? Clara just got divorced."

"Too soon?"

Emily looked confused. "Good men are like concert tickets—you hesitate, and they’re gone!"

Clara helplessly put down her bowl.

"I appreciate the thought, but let's skip it."

She placed her hand over her abdomen. "I can give him the best love and the best life. That's enough."

Emily paused, looked at Clara, and suddenly fell silent.

After a long while, she raised her juice glass and clinked it against Clara's.

"Fine. Up to you."

...

The Huntington Estate.

Rhys turned to look at the passenger seat.

The new lumbar cushion was still there. On the way over, he had intentionally driven slower and turned the temperature up two degrees.

Only Clara wasn't there.

He pressed his lips together, remaining silent.

What could he say?

That they had just picked up their divorce certificate this morning? That Clara felt sick just looking at him now?

In an old-money family like the Huntingtons, divorce was the ultimate indignity, a family scandal.

If Grandfather found out, it might anger him enough to damage his health again.

"Aunt Mia, it's my fault," he whispered, admitting his mistake. "In a while... I'll go and win her back."

"In a while?"

Mia scolded again, "You think I don't know? Margot Johnson went to the police station to find you again recently, didn't she? How many times do I have to tell you, you need your own life! You can't keep being dragged down by her!"

Hearing that name, Rhys closed his eyes, physically and mentally exhausted.

"It won't happen again."

Never again.

"Won't happen, won't happen—you only know how to talk nonsense!"

Mia sat down in the armchair, patting her chest to catch her breath. "Let me tell you, the other day, Mrs. Warren went to pick up a baby-shower gift for her grandson. Guess who she saw in the baby store?"

Rhys frowned.

A baby store?

"She saw Clara! Mrs. Warren came back and asked me if Clara was pregnant, and if the Huntington family was expecting a great-grandchild!"